TIAIB are your Taxi Insurance Specialists - Taxi Council of Western ...

April 2010 Meeting
DoT reported to Council that the number of incidents of assaults on
drivers in March was triple that of February. In managing the
downloading process for those assault cases, it was noted that nearly
40% of cameras weren't operating and could not provide evidence for
prosecution. The Chair commented that, if it is an issue of the 2020
not being serviceable, as TCWA has previously and frequently
highlighted to Government, then it is the responsibility of DoT to
declare that system obsolete and shift the minimum standards.
DoT confirmed that, by the end of the week commencing Monday 12
April, all compliance positions will be in place in PSBU. The Chair
expressed concern that we needed to ensure that the benefits of
experience stayed with the compliance team. The second fare
evasion officer will be in place on 1 July. Council was advised that,
with this position in place, all fare evaluation complaints will be dealt
with as opposed to current restrictions e.g. only investigating fares
over $30.
Mr Wigg commented that the recent experience of a special request
for TIPS style support to DoT for the Mandurah driver involved in the
toddler death was far too prolonged and it was uncertain if the
support had actually been provided. Even though regional taxi
operators do not contribute to TIDA for TIPS, DoT had agreed that,
given the gravity of the accident, support would be provided. (Note:
When TCWA contacted DoT on this matter, DoT indicated the support
was being funded through general operational resources and the
driver would be contacted again). The Council commended the
media for curtailing exposure and not allocating blame.
As this was Mr. Hutchins's final TCWA meeting before moving to his
new appointment, the Council congratulated him on his new role
managing the Gascoyne region and thanked him for his open and
honest exchange with TCWA during his time as the DoT
representative.
Given major international events coming to Western Australia, a
Yellow Taxi concept and a financing option was discussed. It was
agreed that, to be successful and vehicle operators needed to be
made fully aware of the structure of the financing mechanism and
the manner in which it balanced with the increased profile of the fleet
on the streets.
Council was advised of the delay in the temporary rank being set up at
the Horseshoe Bridge at Wellington Street and the likely construction
delay in the new Wellington Street taxi rank. The City of Perth (CoP)
have agreed to work with TCWA to monitor the rank and make
adjustments based on that monitoring. MPTs also use that rank to
collect regionally based disabled passengers and the rank also
needed to be able to cope with the space and pavement structure
required by MPTs to work with their clients.
At the Council Table
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CoP are considering installing still cameras at the ranks on Hill and
Mill Street to fine overhanging vehicles at those ranks. Other issues
presented by CoP staff included behavioural issues experienced in
dealing with some taxi drivers, taxis being left unattended at ranks
near TABs under the guise of using toilet facilities and the CoP's
policy proposal regarding the change in use of the Charter Bus Bays
in the City to enable all charter vehicles to drop off or pick up
passengers. The Council is aghast that, at a time when taxi rank
availability is reducing, space is being allocated for SCV's and will
formally communicate this to the City. There is no reason to change
policy as SCVs drop and pick up passengers where the passenger
determines. This will lead to SCVs sitting at the TC rank and plying
for trade.
The availability of MPTs driven by MPT trained drivers over
weekends and in the evening to ensure disabled customers had
access to transport 7 days a week was discussed. DoT is in the
process of training more MPT drivers .
The cost of operating is continuing to increase and it is getting harder
to maintain taxi vehicles to the standard required. Taxi fares and
shift lease rates must be lifted to deal with the cost of vehicle
operation. There are also future labour market concerns regarding
the continuous supply of drivers.
WACTOA was very pleased a regional driver won the Extraordinary
Taxi Ride competition and keen to establish a category for Regional
Taxi Driver of the Year in the Taxi Driver of the Year awards. The
processing of TUSS Vouchers remains a significant problem and the
number of completed vouchers being rejected is growing.
May 2010 Meeting
DoT provided the statistics from the joint Police and DoT inspection
on 9 April 2001. 130 vehicles were checked. 8 taxis were taken off
the road, 5 for cameras not working and 3 for bald tyres. 16 were
issued with defect notices, 10 were cautioned and 13 were infringed
for uniform offences. DoT advised that they were partnering with
police to undertake these inspections in addition to current on-road
compliance but the capacity to regularly undertake is dependent on
available resources.
The Chair again commented that the 2020 is unrepairable and
obsolete for a number of years now and it is of great concern that
the camera is still featured on DoT's approved list. DoT advised that
if the 2020 is functioning it is fine but if it is not functioning and the
vehicle operator cannot fix it, the camera must be replaced.
When queried how it was dealing with the comprehensive
insurance issue with Sorrento Cabs, DoT indicated that it held
insurance audits randomly during the year and each operator was
responsible for maintaining insurance. DoT also confirmed that